Author's Note: I had this story planned since September 2015 and recently, I decided to post it on here. I had to make some changes because of Tangled: The Series and Frozen II and I rewrote this chapter three times until I finally thought of a decent start for my story. This story takes place after Tangled, Tangled Ever After, Tangled: The Series, Frozen, Olaf's Frozen Adventure, Frozen Fever, and will eventually take place after Frozen II.
Spoiler Warning: There will be some spoilers from Frozen II and Tangled: The Series and there are some minor ones in this chapter.
On this August day, high up in the sky, sunlight shone through the clouds, reflecting from the deep blue, crystal waters amid tall mountains. Nobody could deny that Arendelle was beautiful and furthermore, peaceful.
Elsa and Anna were seated back to back on a stool next to a window with long drapes while Rapunzel stood behind an easel across from them with a paint tray lying flat on her left palm and Pascal sitting on her shoulder. Poised and graceful, Elsa stood tall with her hands folded on her lap and her French braid was over her right shoulder while Anna slouched with her arms crossed.
"Are you almost done, Rapunzel?" whined Anna, struggling to hold still in her seat. Since she was a child, she had never liked posing for portraits and there was nothing else she wanted except to leave, but her cousin was there, and she couldn't be rude. "I can't stay still any longer!"
"Be patient, Anna," Elsa giggled, holding still. Her day had been packed, organizing everything, signing over some documents, and, though she hadn't gotten a single minute to spend with her older cousin and younger sister until now, the day hadn't been unusually busy, her duties as a queen always on her shoulders. "You can sit still for a few more minutes. We're lucky that Rapunzel came to see us. She doesn't come here very often."
Rapunzel smiled as she dipped a brush into red paint. "Don't worry, Anna," she said with glee. She hummed happily as she painted another stroke, listening and relaxing with her cousins. "I'll be finished after I paint. It shouldn't take me very long. I even painted an entire wall in one day. I didn't have many things to do while I was alone, so I kept myself busy with many hobbies and painting became one of them. I was locked away in a tower for most of my life."
"I had nothing before the gates finally opened," said Anna.
"At least you weren't isolated in your own room for most of your childhood," Elsa said as her smile faded away, a slightly bitter tone in her voice.
Right when Rapunzel had finished the portrait, the door flew open, and Olaf raced into the room with his tiny twig arms waving around in excitement and happiness, and he greeted them with a characteristically happy smile. "Hi, there!"
Anna, Elsa, and Rapunzel all turned their attention to the snowman and said: "Hey, Olaf!"
"Where were you?" asked Anna. "You've been gone for a while."
"I came from the courtyard," Olaf said, approaching Rapunzel's easel. "I was hanging out with Kristoff, Sven, Maximus, and—is his name Flynn or Eugene?"
"Eugene," Rapunzel confirmed, petting Pascal. Olaf always was confused about what to call her husband. "Flynn Rider was his alias in his thieving days."
"Oh, okay." Olaf nodded. He came closer to the easel and peeked at Rapunzel's painting. Pascal raised an eyebrow at him. "I was bored so I decided to join you. What are you doing?"
"I just finished painting a portrait of Elsa and Anna," Rapunzel answered. She smiled at Pascal, and she gestured for Elsa, Anna, and Olaf to see her newest creation. "Take a look!"
Anna, Elsa, and Olaf gaped at Rapunzel's masterpiece. She had captured every single detail about her cousins, and it looked as if it had been done by a professional artist. Years of practice had really mastered her talent.
"This is impressive," Anna said, amazed. "I can't even paint a tree. Forget a tree, I cannot even paint the sky."
"You are very talented, Rapunzel," Elsa said. "You have a gift."
"So, do you, Elsa," Rapunzel said. It was true that Elsa did have a gift. "Your gift is wonderful."
"I don't know," said Elsa, a slightly sad edge to her words. "It disrupts things and can be dangerous."
Anna cupped her older sister's face and smiled. "Anything can be dangerous and disruptive but that doesn't mean it should stop us from enjoying what makes us special."
"My gift is still dangerous," Elsa said. She gently turned her head away. "My powers are a disaster."
"Don't say that," Olaf said. "You made me with your powers."
"That's right." Elsa smiled weakly. "I just wonder if there are others who are magical like me."
"I used to have magic hair that glowed when I sang," Rapunzel said. Elsa's powers always reminded her of her magical golden hair. "And I'm your cousin."
"I'm sure there is someone out there who is very much like you," assured Anna. She had always done everything she could to make Elsa feel good about herself, believing that she was not the only one with powers. "I guarantee that there are others who are very magical. Remember that story Father and Mother told us about the enchanted forest?"
Elsa nodded and gave Anna a weak smile, but Rapunzel suddenly became interested in this story. She didn't know much about Arendelle, but it didn't stop her from becoming curious about her cousins' home. Pascal knew that something was on her mind and gestured for her to ask Elsa and Anna.
"What is this enchanted forest?" asked Rapunzel. "And what story did Uncle Agnarr and Aunt Iduna tell you?"
"Oh, my," said Elsa. She started to come towards a bookshelf. "It's been so long."
After she pulled out an old brown leather book, she came back over to Anna, Rapunzel, and Olaf and placed the book down on the table. The title was The History of Arendelle. Elsa opened up the cover and her fingers scrolled through the pages until she found the right page.
There was a beautiful illustration of a large, ancient forest guarded by four menhirs. Rapunzel and Olaf stared down at it in awe.
"This is the enchanted forest? It's beautiful," Rapunzel whispered. She noticed the menhirs and placed her fingers on them. "What are those standing stones?"
Elsa and Anna explained to Rapunzel and Olaf about the spirits, earth, air, water, and fire, and the Northuldra, a peaceful tribe that lived in the forest and connected to the spirits.
"They sound lovely." Rapunzel smiled. "I have an idea! Why don't we get Eugene, Kristoff, Sven, and Maximus and visit the forest?"
"We can't," Anna answered.
"Why not?"
Elsa peered down at the page. "One day, after our grandfather, King Runeard gifted Northuldra a dam to strengthen their waters—"
"What's a dam?" Olaf interrupted.
"It's a wall that holds back water," explained Anna. "It's like what beavers use for their homes."
"Oh, I get it," said Olaf. "That must've been what Kristoff meant when he said that he couldn't get the damn door open."
Anna and Rapunzel giggled. Pascal smirked, but Elsa stood there with her eyes widened. "That's not what he was talking about, and you don't talk like that," she said sternly.
"Why? What did I do?" asked Olaf.
"We'll talk about it later," Elsa said. "Anyway, one day our father came with our grandfather to the forest to celebrate the treaty. Then, out of nowhere, Arendelle and Northuldra turned against each other and battled in a brutal fight resulting in our grandfather's death. It enraged the spirits and they turned their magic against everyone. Someone saved our father and got him out of the forest. Afterward, the spirits disappeared and a powerful mist covered the forest, blocking everyone out and locking anyone in."
Rapunzel, Olaf, and Pascal had their eyes opened and their jaws dropped at quite a story that they had just been told.
"Who saved Uncle Agnarr?" asked Rapunzel. "Surely, he told you about that person who saved him."
"We don't know," answered Anna. "Father never found out who it was. He said that he became king when he escaped the forest. Eventually, he met our mother, became friends, and she became his queen."
"I'm sure whoever saved him was a wonderful person," said Rapunzel. She suddenly remembered something that had been on her mind for a while. It was something that she hadn't asked her mother about. "Elsa, Anna, did Aunt Iduna ever tell you about her past?"
"No," said Elsa, closing the book. "Just that she and Father met each other as children."
"That's all she told us," said Anna. "Did Aunt Arianna and Aunt Willow tell you about her?"
"They told me a lot about her," Rapunzel answered. She ran the back of her right hand through her short brown hair. "They just never told me about where they originally were from before the three of them moved to Arendelle."
Anna and Elsa's mother Iduna was the younger sister of Rapunzel's mother Arianna and their Aunt Willow. She and Agnarr were invited to Rapunzel's wedding, but they couldn't come because they had to go on a major trip, and they ended up getting killed in a shipwreck. Arianna and Willow knew where they'd been going but Rapunzel didn't.
"She never told us where she and our aunts were from either," said Elsa. A small series of knocks pounded on the door and Elsa gave permission for the knocker to enter the room. The door opened and Kai peaked in the room.
"Your Majesty," Kai addressed. "Baron Rupert of Belliville has arrived in the courtyard and asked for your presence."
As Elsa, Anna, and Rapunzel followed Kai down the hall with Olaf strolling behind them, they could hear arguing from outside the castle walls and it appeared to be the voices of Kristoff, Eugene, and a stranger.
"So where did you meet him, Elsa?" Anna asked.
"Rupert was at my coronation with his wife, Evelyn," Elsa explained. "They are baron and baroness of Belliville."
"Belliville!" Rapunzel exclaimed."I am familiar with that country!"
"Have you and Eugene been there before?" asked Elsa with her hands folded in front of her.
"No," Rapunzel answered. "But Aunt Willow talked about her adventures there many times. She said that it was a beautiful country."
"What is a baron?" asked Olaf, hopping excitingly. "Is he a royal too?"
"He's a noble," Elsa explained.
"What's that?" asked Olaf. Rapunzel glanced at the little snowman, smiling unconsciously at his childlike questions and curiosity. It amazed her that Elsa created something, or rather someone, that could talk and think like a human.
"They're not really royalty but they're not always wealthy," Elsa answered.
"I think sometimes they have a title but they're not always wealthy," Anna said. She was never into history, let alone royal titles, except princes from when she was young up until she met Hans.
As Kai opened the main castle doors, Elsa, Anna, and Rapunzel saw that there was a middle-aged lord saddled on a horse with a golden banner with an imprint of an owl. He appeared to be in an argument with Eugene and Kristoff while Maximus and Sven were nearby having a staring contest.
"What is this all about?" asked Elsa, surveying the area. She peered over at Sven and Maximus and arched an eyebrow. "And… what are they doing?"
"Look, pal," Kristoff snapped. "I don't know who you think you are but what business do you have against us?"
"Why don't you tell me, sir?" the middle-aged lord snapped.
"What?!"
"Don't 'what' me, boy!" the middle-aged lord snorted.
"What are you doing here in the first place?" Eugene growled out.
"You shouldn't even be here," said the middle-aged lord. "You're still wanted in my country, and everyone will recognize you from your wanted posters. I should have you arrested."
"Well, be my guest," said Eugene, spreading his arms out in the air. "Go ahead. But I can assure you, it won't work."
"I think we should have him arrested," said Kristoff.
"At least I'm not being a smart aleck," said the middle-aged lord.
Elsa stood tall with grace and poise, looking every bit a queen like the one she was, clearing her throat. The middle-aged lord, Kristoff, and Eugene swung around to the young queen. "Baron Rupert, I didn't expect you to be here."
"Your Majesty," Rupert bowed shortly before shooting an annoyed look at Kristoff and Eugene, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are a commoner and a wanted thief doing here?"
"I am well aware that these two gentlemen are not intruders," said Elsa. "They have a right to be here in the courtyard."
"I apologize for the disturbance, Queen Elsa," Rupert said. "These two intruders seem to be giving me trouble."
"I would say that you are the culprit," said Kristoff.
"You know boy—"
"Well, for your information," Anna snapped. "Kristoff is welcome here! He is my boyfriend!"
Elsa turned to her younger sister. "Anna", she said in a slightly stern tone, that seemed to get the message across, as Anna huffed and crossed her arms but didn't utter a word. Elsa would take care of it. She turned back to Rupert. "As I said before, they are not intruders, and they are welcome here. If I have to repeat myself again, you will be dismissed and you will neither be welcomed nor entertained."
Rupert shot a sour expression at Kristoff and Eugene before sighing and apologizing. He stood tall and held his head up high. "May we speak inside?"
"We will head to the council chambers," Elsa said.
"Bullseye!" Anna cheered.
In the library, Anna, Rapunzel, and Maximus cheered at the dart that hit the inner bullseye of the circular target while Kristoff, Eugene, and Sven stood in defeat as Olaf and Pascal tallied up the scores on a piece of paper.
"Maximus, how did you learn how to play like that?" Kristoff asked, doing his voice for Sven. Maximus neighed in joy. The palace horse and the reindeer had always been at odds with each other for some reason, probably because Maximus was strict, and Sven was playful. "You are really good."
"You are a good player too, Sven," Kristoff laughed, petting his best friend. "You are just as good as Maximus. They won because they just got really lucky."
"Come on," Rapunzel laughed, crossing her arms. "There's no need to be a sore loser now, Kristoff. We just played better than you."
"I wouldn't be saying anything, Rapunzel." Kristoff grinned. "You know that it's impolite to be a sore winner."
"I thought for being a princess," Eugene smirked, "you would be more mature about it."
Anna giggled as she leaned closer to Rapunzel and Maximus. "Said the two men who acted like children when we were playing charades last night."
The girls along with Maximus, Olaf, Pascal, and even Sven chortled at Kristoff and Eugene. The previous night, they'd been playing charades with Elsa and when it was Olaf's turn, Kristoff and Eugene had gotten into an argument over the answer, both nearly quitting the game after that.
"You know." Eugene grinned. "How about a two out of three?"
Anna suddenly caught sight of the clock, petted Maximus, and headed towards the door. "You go ahead. I am going to check on Elsa to see how her meeting with the baron went."
"I'll go with you," Kristoff said as he sped up to his girlfriend. "You stay here, Sven."
As they wandered through the long hall, they spotted Elsa coming over to them, with Kai walking beside her. Anna smiled at her older sister, hoping that everything went well with her and Rupert. She couldn't be more grateful that she and Elsa became close again after thirteen long and painful years of separation. On the day that Elsa gained control of her powers and thawed the winter in Arendelle, Anna had vowed to support her sister in any way that she could.
"How did it go, Elsa?" Anna asked, cheerfully. "He wasn't a jerk to you like he was to Kristoff and Eugene, now, was he?"
"What did he want to see you about?" asked Kristoff.
"Rupert is having a dinner party in Belliville in three days," explained Elsa. "He wants a representative from Arendelle to attend so he invited me to come."
"Where is he anyway?" asked Anna.
"He just left to wait in the courtyard," Elsa answered. "Rupert told me that I can bring two guests with me. I am considering bringing Rapunzel with me because I think that it would be good to have a representative from Corona come since her country has always been associated with magic."
"And who is the other guest you're bringing?" asked Anna. She really wanted to come with Elsa because she was willing to do anything for her and she'd never been to Belliville before. She loved the idea of going somewhere new.
Elsa peered at Anna, smiling like she was reading her mind. "Anna, would you be honored to come with me?"
"Yes," Anna replied right away. "I'd love to come."
"Where is Rapunzel?" asked Elsa.
"She's in the library with Eugene," Kristoff said.
"Good, we'll go there right now," said Elsa. "We need to leave Arendelle by tonight if we wish to make it there on time. After we see Rapunzel, we need to start packing right away and dress accordingly, Anna."
"Your Majesty," Kai said. "I'll send the royal documents for you. Where are they?"
"Thank you," Elsa said. "They are—wait! Oh no, I forgot!"
Elsa raced into the study with Kristoff and Anna racing behind her. She had forgotten about them all day. She burst through the study.
"Oh no," Elsa groaned, shaking her head.
Ordinarily, Elsa would have everything finished by the end of the day, but this time, piles of royal documents strewn all over the desk, almost reminding her of Anna's room. She was supposed to have them finished before Rapunzel came but Anna convinced her that she had all the time in the world.
"Don't worry about it, Elsa," said Anna. "You can get those all done right before we leave. I can help you."
Although Anna was trying to be helpful to her older sister, as usual, Elsa knew that her sister's statement was quixotic since they would need to leave tonight to get to Belliville for the dinner party on time, and it always took forever for the royal documents to be completed.
"I can't go," Elsa sighed as she fell into a chair. "They're due tomorrow and I must get them done. I'm sorry."
"But Rupert said that they need a representative from Arendelle to go?" said Anna. "You'd be perfect for that."
"I know, but I didn't get this done when I should have," explained Elsa. "I can't get too far behind. I'll have to tell the baron that I will not be able to make it tonight."
Anna was kicking at herself for convincing Elsa to wait another day to get her work done, and now Elsa wouldn't be able to represent Arendelle all thanks to her foolish decisions. Since she'd gotten her older sister into this mess, she should help her. "I'll go for you, Elsa."
Elsa peered up to her little sister. "Are you sure, Anna?"
"Of course." Anna smiled, placing her hand on her sister's shoulder. "When you got control of your powers last year, I vowed to help you with your duties as Queen and going to that party in your place would be the right thing to do."
"That is very kind of you, Anna." Elsa smiled. "But who would go with you and Rapunzel in my place?"
"I'll go," Kristoff said, stepping forward.
"Are you sure, Kristoff?" asked Elsa.
"I'd do anything for Anna, and you made me the official ice master of Arendelle," said Kristoff. "I would not be a good boyfriend if I didn't."
Anna cheered and hugged Kristoff. "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
A dart landed right in the inner bullseye, causing everyone to cheer for Rapunzel while Eugene smirked and shook his head.
"I got to hand it to you, Rapunzel," Eugene laughed. "I can see why your team won earlier!"
Rapunzel smirked as she petted Sven. "Years of practice really pays off."
"Can I try?" asked Olaf.
Rapunzel knew that Anna wouldn't mind her teaching Olaf to play darts, but Elsa, on the other hand, might object to the idea. She may not be his mother, but she still created him with her powers and darts could be dangerous if not used correctly.
"I think we should ask Elsa first, Olaf," Rapunzel answered gently. As she helped Pascal remove the darts from the target, she gave her husband a mischievous grin. "So, Eugene, how did that baron know that you were Flynn Rider?"
Maximus, Pascal, and Sven turned to Eugene and laughed mischievously as Eugene crossed his arms. "Oh, it was a while ago. It was nothing."
"What did you steal?" Rapunzel asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Lance and I stole the baroness' necklace," Eugene said. "We snuck in while they were having some party."
"What?" Rapunzel laughed. "Really? When did you two do that?"
"It was a year before we stole your mother's ring," Eugene chuckled nervously. He still didn't like talking to Rapunzel about when he and his best friend Lance Strongbow stole his mother-in-law's ring all those years ago.
"Who is Lance?" asked Olaf.
"He's my best friend," Eugene said. "You'll love him. You know, maybe I can bring him here next time we visit."
The door opened and Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff entered the room. Olaf hopped over to them. "What did that big bully want?"
"He wanted to arrest me, Olaf," Eugene said. "He still thinks that I am a wanted thief."
"The baron wanted nothing to do with you, Eugene." Kristoff sighed, shaking his head.
"Elsa was invited to a dinner party with two guests but she can't go," Anna explained. "So, I will be going instead, and Kristoff is coming with me."
"Who else is going?" asked Rapunzel.
Elsa smiled as she crossed her arms at her older cousin. "You."
"Me?"
"You can represent Corona." Anna smiled. Elsa noticed her father's portrait on the wall, and she slowly approached it. "It would be good for your country if you went."
Feeling sad and nostalgic all at once, the young queen peered up at the painting of her late father at his coronation. She couldn't help but remember those days when she would use the library to practice for her coronation, using her father's portrait to help her.
Tears filling her eyes, Elsa remained still as she stared at her beloved father's portrait, wishing that he and her mother were still here with her and Anna. "I miss them."
"I do too, Elsa," Anna said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. Elsa turned and the two sisters wrapped their arms around each other. "They would be very proud of you, Elsa. I know they would. They would be happy that you turned out to be a great queen."
The sisters pulled away from each other, but Elsa held Anna's hand. "They would be proud of you too, Anna. You never stopped believing in me and you were always there to help me. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't even be here."
Anna and Elsa's relationship always touched Rapunzel and made her wish for a sibling. She'd imagine that she would be a great sister and that their relationship would be very similar to her cousins. It was very generous of Anna to go to Rupert's dinner party to represent Arendelle for Elsa but what would Elsa do after she finished her work? She would more likely just be lonely while her sister was away.
"Will you be ready in time, Rapunzel?" asked Anna.
Rapunzel smiled as she laid her arms on the table. "Actually, you and Kristoff go right ahead, Anna. I will stay and keep Elsa company; Eugene will take my place and represent Corona for me."
Eugene spun around to his wife with his eyes wide. "What?! Rapunzel, I can't go there! I got history with—"
"Please do it," said Rapunzel. "For me?"
Eugene sighed. "Alright."
Twenty minutes later, Kristoff, Eugene, and Anna stepped into the courtyard, carrying suitcases with Elsa, Rapunzel with Pascal on her shoulder, and Olaf following behind them. Maximus and Sven were across from them in front of Kristoff's sled, giving each other dirty looks because they were going to have to pull the sled together until they got to the fjord. Rupert was standing next to the fountain with his arms crossed.
"Who is coming with you, Your Majesty?" Rupert asked.
"I cannot go so Anna will attend your dinner party instead," Elsa explained. Rupert seemed pleased as he nodded his head in approval. It didn't surprise Elsa. He had never met her little sister. "We considered bringing Rapunzel along to represent Corona but she chose not to come. Anna will be bringing Kristoff and Eugene with her to Belliville." Rupert was about to protest until Elsa pointed a finger at him with a warning glare. "Do not question me, my lord. As Queen, I must do what's right for my country and if you object to this, you can forget about having a representative from Arendelle and Corona at your dinner party."
Rupert bowed to the queen. "As you wish, Queen Elsa." He suddenly noticed Rapunzel standing next to her cousin. "Aren't your parents King Frederic and Queen Arianna?" Rapunzel nodded with a smile as Rupert saddled on to his horse. "I got history with your father. Anyway, I'll be waiting on my ship at the fjord whenever you three are ready. Just don't be late. We need to leave by tonight to get to Belliville."
The baron kicked his horse and they galloped away. After the group said their goodbyes to each other, Kristoff and Anna sat in the front seat of the sled while Eugene sat in the back. Maximus and Sven pulled the sled into the town of Arendelle.
"I'm so excited!" Anna smiled. "I had never been to another country before! I wonder what it'll be like? I just hope it won't be a gloomy country! Eck! I would hate to be—you know on second thought, as long as it's not pouring down rain, I wouldn't mind dancing in mud puddles."
Kristoff chuckled, shaking his head at his girlfriend. "Really? I thought you would try to make a good first impression when you meet the baroness?"
Anna shrugged and shook her head. "She would probably be off somewhere having tea with her husband or her noble friends or whatever." Anna paused and chuckled nervously. "Wait what? What did I say?"
"Just make sure you don't say that in front of the baroness and her friends," Kristoff chuckled. Anna smiled and put her arms behind her back as she laid her feet on the front rail of her boyfriend's sled. "Hey, Anna, don't do that. Just because you brought the new sled for me doesn't mean that you could lay your feet on there."
Eugene leaned forward in his seat. "So, Kristoff, this is your new sled? You know, I got to tell you, I'm jealous. I wish I had something like this. You're lucky that I stopped thieving years ago, I probably would've stolen this thing from under your noses." Kristoff and Anna turned to him with annoyed looks on their faces, causing Eugene to chuckle nervously. "Don't look at me like that. I wouldn't do that now."
"What about Lance?" Kristoff asked as Anna pushed her feet down.
"Now he might," Eugene said. "Is this where you do your ice business?"
"Yes," Kristoff answered. "Sven and I would take trips up the north mountain. Sometimes, we would even be gone for weeks—" He suddenly paused for a minute and placed his head on his temple. "Dammit."
"What happened?" asked Anna.
"I forgot to buy more supplies at Oaken's," Kristoff said. "I was supposed to a few days ago."
"Oh, we have time, Kristoff," Anna said."We can stop there really quick. We'll be in and out before you know it."
"It's okay, Anna," Kristoff said. "I can get the supplies when we get back. Besides, we need to get to the fjord by tonight."
"We'll be fine." Anna smiled. "We'll still make it to that party regardless."
"Alright," Kristoff said. "But don't be upset if we don't make it back in time."
Anna smiled and ruffled his hair. "You worry too much. Besides, Baron Rupert wouldn't care if we end up a little late."
"Who is this Oaken anyway?" asked Eugene. "I don't think I've ever met him."
Maximus and Sven came to a halt in front of a small log cabin. Shortly after, Kristoff, Anna, and Eugene came out of the sled and towards the small shop. Anna could feel the soft summer breeze on her face as she looked up at the large blue sky with big white clouds.
"Are you sure about this?" Kristoff asked as they were walking up the steps to a porch.
"Don't worry," said Anna. "It won't take very long."
Eugene peered up at the two signs on the shop, one that said 'WANDERING OAKEN'S TRADING POST' and the other 'SAUNA.' "Yeah, I have definitely never been here before."
The bell rang as Anna opened the door for Kristoff and Eugene, allowing them inside. Shutting the door behind her, Anna's eyes wandered around the small shop while Kristoff focused on getting his supplies and Eugene explored the small shop. By the looks of it, the supplies were recently restocked with summer outfits and supplies including fishing rods all over. In the corner of the shop, Anna noticed a dress that reminded her of the one she'd gotten last year during the great thaw at this same place.
"Hoo-hoo!," Oaken's voice came nearby. Anna turned to see that Oaken was standing behind the counter all cheery. "Oaken's trading post Big Summer blowout! Everything is ten percent off in this department for a limited time."
"Hello, Oaken," said Anna.
"Heading back up the North Mountain again, are you?" asked Oaken.
"No, I just needed to get more supplies," Kristoff said, picking up a piece of rope.
Eugene peered around the place with his hands fist on his waist and whistled. "This is some place you got here. You must make good business."
"We also have a sauna," said Oaken, waving at his family in the sauna.
"Hoo-hoo!" they said to him.
Eugene peered at the sauna and back at Oaken. "I'm not planning on going in there today."
Kristoff placed his rope and ice harvester on the counter, peering around the area for something that was missing. "Where are the carrots?"
"There is only one bag left," said Oaken. "Lately the carrots have been the attention for the supply and demand, so I raise it to twenty."
"Seriously?" Kristoff sighed, shaking his head.
"Wow," said Anna. "I never knew people would go nuts over carrots. It's not a cake."
"You know this place really is a rip-off," Eugene laughed. Kristoff and Anna shook their heads at Eugene, gesturing for him to stop but he just ignored them and kept going. "I mean who pays twenty for a bag of carrots?"
"What did you say?" said Oaken, upset by Eugene's joke.
"I was only joking," Eugene laughed, shaking his head. But his laugh and smile faded when Oaken stood up and slowly started to approach him, forcing him to step back. "No really, I was only joking. Come on! Seriously, you can't take a joke?!" Eugene gulped as Oaken came closer to him. "I guess not. I better wait outside."
He raced out the door without looking back at Oaken. The entire room was in complete silence for a moment with Oaken regaining his cheery mood while Anna and Kristoff didn't know what to make of Eugene's joke.
"I'll pay for the carrots," said Anna.
The next three days went by swiftly in Arendelle. Despite that, Elsa was very busy with her responsibilities as a queen, and Rapunzel kept her company. When Elsa was working on her duties, Rapunzel would spend time either with Gerda or Olaf.
On this afternoon, Elsa had just finished granting audiences and helping them with their problems in the throne room. It was an extremely long day, and she was relieved that she was finally done with her duties. Now she could relax and spend time with Rapunzel and Olaf for the rest of the day.
"WAIT!" a voice screamed just as Elsa was about to get up from her throne.
Elsa sat in her throne all graceful with her hands folded on her lap as she watched the last citizen race into the throne room frantic with worry. This had alerted Kai, who immediately shut the door behind him. The man threw himself on the ground in front of the queen.
"Take deep breaths," Elsa consoled. "You are alright."
The citizen calmed down and he bowed to her. "Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you but unfortunately, you may be in danger."
The young queen sat up in her seat, grabbing one of her armrests and leaning her head forward, raising her eyebrows. "What has happened?"
"There have been rumors," the citizen stuttered. "That someone is planning to assassinate you."
Horrified, Elsa nearly fell out of her seat. This had not happened since the Duke of Weselton and Prince Hans' attempts from the year before."Do you have any idea who could try to kill me?"
"I have no idea, Your Majesty," the citizen answered. "I had just heard the rumor recently and I thought that you should know just to be safe."
"Thank you for letting me know," Elsa said, her voice becoming uneven thanks to the news. "You may go."
After the man left the throne room, Elsa slowly stood from her throne, nearly on the verge of fainting while she could barely hear herself breathe as her magic layered over the room with small bits of ice trailing off her fingers. Why would someone try to kill her? Arendelle had been at peace since she had succeeded in attaining control of her powers. It just didn't make any sense to her.
Gerda raced over to the queen and placed her hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. "Are you alright, Your Majesty?"
"I don't—I don't know what to think," Elsa stammered. "Why would someone try to kill me? I haven't done anything wrong that I'm aware of."
"Is there anything we could do?" asked Kai.
Elsa took a few more deep breaths and she peered up at Kai and Gerda. "I want you to send for Marcella and then meet me in the library."
"Where do you want me to stand?" Olaf asked.
Rapunzel gathered her paintbrushes and art supplies as she approached her easel with Pascal helping her. "Uh…in front of that window is fine. Just give me a few minutes, okay, Olaf?"
Olaf stood in front of a large window with purple drapes and posed. Just as Rapunzel was about to draw him, Olaf gasped and ran over to the easel, leaning closer to Rapunzel. "I just got an idea!" he exclaimed excitedly. "When Elsa's finished, we should have her in this portrait too so when Anna comes back, we can give her a portrait of us!"
"That is a very good idea, Olaf." Rapunzel smiled. She laid her hand down for Pascal to crawl on as Olaf jumped up and down. She caught a glimpse of the clock on the wall next to her. She still hadn't seen Elsa since she left for the throne room. She figured that she must have been running late. Pascal chattered to her. "She'll be here soon, Pascal. She's just very busy."
"What is Pascal?" asked Olaf. Pascal turned white as he stared up at Olaf. "And why does he change color?"
"He's a chameleon," Rapunzel laughed. "They change colors to reflect their moods."
"Oh," Olaf said. "I wish that I could change colors. How did you meet Pascal?"
"It was when I was locked away in that tower," Rapunzel explained. She smiled down at Pascal who smiled back at her. "It was really late at night, I found him bitten by a snake on the window still, I used my frying pan to get rid of the snake, and I saved Pascal with my hair. I saw that he was alone so I took him in and we've been together ever since."
"That sounds sweet." Olaf smiled. "What did you two do when you were in the tower?"
"We did many things together. But Pascal's favorite game is hide and seek."
"What's that?" Olaf asked.
"It's a game where you either look for someone," Rapunzel chuckled. "Or you hide and make sure no one finds you."
Olaf smiled. Clearly, he was interested in this game. "Can we play that?"
"Sure," Rapunzel said, placing Pascal on her shoulder. "Do you want me to hide and you'll go look for me or do you want to hide and I'll find you?"
Olaf stood for a long minute, trying to decide on what he wanted to do. "Can you hide and I find you?"
"Sure." Rapunzel nodded.
"What do I do?"
Rapunzel smiled as she slowly came towards the door with her eyes on Olaf. "You stand there, close your eyes, and count to…." She would need plenty of time to hide so she thought of how long Olaf should count. "Twenty!"
"Okay!" Olaf smiled. He turned around but his head was glanced over his shoulder. "One—"
"No peeking, Olaf," Rapunzel chuckled as her hand grabbed the door handle. "Now turn around and start over but this time—" She pulled the door open, making it wide enough for her to exit the room and pointed a stern finger at the little snowman with a smile on her face. "No peeking and I mean it."
Olaf turned around and covered his eyes with his twig arms. "ONE! TWO!"
As soon as he said three, Rapunzel rushed out of the room and sprinted further into the long hall, snickering with Pascal. She'd already decided that she would hide in the library.
Eventually, Rapunzel grinned as soon as she saw that the library door was standing right in front of her. She grabbed the door handle and just when she was about to open the door, she heard voices from the other side. It seemed to be the voices of Elsa, Gerda, and Kai.
"I wish that I could tell Anna," Elsa said. Rapunzel crouched down and placed her ear close to the door. What did Elsa not tell Anna? Did it have something to do with the baron? Did Elsa forget something?
"She already left so there is nothing that you can do about it," said Gerda. "You'll just have to tell her when she gets back."
"That is exactly what I'll do," said Elsa. "I can't keep another secret from her."
"I don't understand why you can't tell your own country that there might be someone trying to kill you?" asked Kai. Rapunzel gasped and shook her head, not knowing what to think of this. This couldn't be true. Why would someone try to kill her cousin? "Surely they should know."
"Don't you see?" said Elsa. "I don't know who's trying to kill me. It could be anybody. They could even be living in Arendelle. If I let the public know, the person who wants to kill me would know that I know they're after me."
"I understand, Your Majesty," said Gerda. "But are you sure about this?"
"Yes," said Elsa. "This is the only way. Don't worry, Marcella will be here soon. Then I can go to the Northern Isles and find Lord Graham. He was good friends with my father and he will help me."
"FOUND YOU!"
Rapunzel yelled out in surprise with Pascal turning yellow and turned to see that Olaf was standing right in front of her, clapping his hands. She had been so focused on listening to the conversation from the library that she had forgotten that she was playing a game of hide and seek with Olaf.
"Does this mean that I win?" Olaf asked with a smile. His smile faded away when he saw that Rapunzel looked surprised. "What's wrong? I didn't cheat, did I?"
Before Rapunzel could answer, the door flew open behind her. She slowly turned to see Elsa, Kai, and Gerda standing in the doorway. Elsa cleared her throat and gave them permission to come in. Once they came into the room, Kai shut the door behind them.
"What's going on?" asked Olaf. "Am I in trouble?"
Rapunzel knew that she couldn't ignore what she had heard and approached her cousin. "Why would someone want to kill you?"
"You heard," Elsa said calmly, a tinge of sadness in her voice. Rapunzel nodded solemnly. "How much?"
"Pretty much from the part where you said you will tell Anna when she gets back to the part where you said Lord Graham would help you because he was good friends with my uncle."
Elsa sighed, shaking her head. "You heard a lot."
"What's wrong with that?" asked Rapunzel.
"The last thing I want is for more people to know," said Elsa.
"Elsa," said Rapunzel. "I won't tell anybody if you don't want me to." From the second she heard them talking just outside the door, she had gotten herself involved and there was no way she could ignore this. There must have been something she could do to help her cousin. "I can help you!"
"What?"
"Actually, Olaf, Pascal, and I can help you! We heard your plan and Olaf knows about it now so why not?"
Elsa stared at Rapunzel for a long moment, unsure of how to handle this situation. It was not a surprise that Rapunzel would step up to help her. She always acted a lot like Anna, who would have done the same if she were here instead of on that ship to Belliville. Her cousin, Pascal, and Olaf already knew, and they were now involved. "Alright. You can help me."
"Thank you!" said Rapunzel. "Don't worry, Elsa. We won't let you down."
"What are we doing?" asked Olaf.
"This is the plan," Elsa explained. "Lord Graham was friends with my father so he would help me. Marcella is a witch who is a friend of ours. She will get here soon. I will dress like a peasant and then she will disguise herself as me. She will send me to the Northern Isles. There, I will find Lord Graham."
"So what would me, Olaf, and Pascal do?" asked Rapunzel.
"Now that you're involved," said Elsa. "You will act like you have arrived there to look for Lord Graham and I will act as your escort to him."
"Sounds like a plan!" Rapunzel exclaimed.
"I have a question," Olaf said. "Why couldn't Marcella get the royal documents done for you a few days ago? You could have ended up going to Belliville with Anna."
"She didn't get back to Arendelle until yesterday," Elsa answered.
"Are you sure this will work?" asked Kai.
"I'm sure it will," said Elsa. She wasn't sure about this but all she could do was be confident. That was what Anna would've done. "It just has to work."
Two hours passed by slowly until it was sometime in the evening. Rapunzel dressed in a long blue sleeveless dress with shoes that matched. She peered at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She didn't need to go in a disguise since she was presenting herself as the princess of Corona. All she would need to do was pretend that Elsa was a peasant and escort her to the lord.
Since the news of the deaths of her uncle and aunt, there was always the lingering thought in Rapunzel's mind about where they'd been going. It had been important enough to miss her wedding. She wanted to ask Anna and Elsa if they had any idea about it, but the thought of upsetting them always held her back. Eugene had suggested that she ask her mother and Aunt Willow, but her aunt was rarely around and she never found the perfect time to ask her mother.
Underneath her, she heard Pascal squeak with a golden flower hairpin in his hands. Rapunzel bent down and gently took the hairpin in her hand. She sat on her knees as she placed the hairpin in her short brown hair, smiling at her reflection. It reminded her of the magical golden hair she used to have. She knew that if it hadn't been for her hair, she would've never known Pascal and Eugene would have been long gone by now.
She laid her hand out, allowing Pascal to crawl on her palm. She gently stood up, still smiling down at her best friend. "Ever since I left that tower, Pascal, my life has begun in the most wonderful way. But I would've been more alone if you never showed up." Pascal smiled up at her with Rapunzel gently patting his head. "Well, are you ready to go back into the library and help Elsa now, Pascal?"
As soon as Rapunzel entered the library, Olaf wobbled over to her, smiling at her as he gently pulled her further into the room. "Rapunzel! You have got to meet Marcella! We have known her for a year and she's very friendly!"
"Okay, Olaf," Rapunzel chuckled, almost losing her balance. "Where's Elsa?"
"Gerda is helping her with her disguise," Kai replied. "They should be back here soon."
"Good," said a deep voice of a woman. "The sooner they get back, the sooner we can send her to the Northern Isles."
Standing right next to Kai, was a young woman who looked to be thirty, dressed in a green dress. She had blue eyes, fair skin and black hair tied up in a tight bun. This must have been the Marcella that Olaf was talking about. She had a blank expression on her face, making it hard for Rapunzel to tell whether or not she was friendly.
"Nice to meet you, Marcella." Rapunzel smiled, holding out her hand for the witch to shake. "I'm Rapunzel. I'm the cousin of Elsa and Anna."
Rapunzel expected Marcella to shake her hand, but instead she stared down at it and back up at the princess. Pascal peered up to Rapunzel, shrugging. "Yes, I heard a lot about you, Your Highness. Elsa and Anna told me a lot about you."
Rapunzel put her hand down, feeling awkward and thought that it was best to start a conversation while she waited for Elsa. "How did you know my cousins?"
"I met them this last Christmas season," Marcella explained. "Actually, I met Olaf first when he was trying to find a family tradition for Anna and Elsa. He got lost in the town and I helped him figure out where he was. I ran into him again when they were celebrating the holidays, and he introduced me to your cousins."
"And I am their family tradition!" Olaf said.
"That is sweet," Rapunzel said. She wished she could ask Olaf if she could hear more about when he was finding a family tradition for her cousins but she knew since they were leaving soon, this wouldn't be a good time. "Marcella, how are you going to cover for Elsa when she is away?"
Marcella snapped her fingers and she morphed into Elsa. Rapunzel's eyes widened at her impressive magic. "Woah. Could you sound like her and do her magic?"
"I can sound like Elsa," Marcella confirmed, her voice sounding exactly like Elsa's beautiful soft voice. She snapped her fingers again and morphed back into her old self. "But I cannot perform her powers."
"So someone would know that Elsa is in a disguise if she performs her magic?" Rapunzel asked.
"If Elsa does magic herself on your trip, people won't know that it's her," Marcella answered. "She is not the only one with ice powers."
The door opened, allowing Gerda to step into the room with Elsa who shut the door behind them right away. The young queen was dressed in an unattractive peasant dress with long sleeves. Instead of being in a French braid, her long hair was down, and her bangs had been cut. Her boots were black.
"You look great, Elsa." Rapunzel smiled. It was a bit strange seeing Elsa dress like a commoner because she had gotten used to Elsa using her powers to create her own dresses. She could see Anna dressing up like a peasant, but she could never have imagined Elsa in a dress like that.
"Wait," said Marcella. "You're not finished with your disguise yet, Elsa."
Elsa raised a silent eyebrow in question, turning a curious gaze towards her.
"Let me help," said Marcella. She motioned her hands and cast a small light of magic trailing from her fingertips and threw it at Elsa. Kai, Gerda, Rapunzel, and Olaf stared at her in awe.
"I can't recognize you!" said Olaf.
"That's right." Marcella grinned. "Not even the most observant would know it's you."
Gerda handed Elsa a hand mirror. She was surprised when she glanced at her reflection. Her blond hair and eyebrows were now dark brown and her eyes were now light brown. .
"You look like another person, Elsa," Rapunzel said. "If I wasn't here, I wouldn't even know it was you."
"How long will this last?" asked Elsa.
"I can turn you back to your own self when you return," said Marcella. "But unless I take back the spell, it will last a year before it slowly starts to wear off. Now we'll just send you to the Northern Isles, Elsa."
"They're coming too," said Elsa.
Marcella peered over at Rapunzel, Olaf, and Pascal. For some reason, Rapunzel felt like the young witch didn't seem to like her the same way Monty couldn't stand her back in Corona. "I didn't know you were bringing more people with you."
"They're going to help me," Elsa explained.
"That would explain it then," said Marcella. "However, my dust portal will not be able to take all of you at once. It would be able to take only two of you. The chameleon would fit in regardless."
"What is a dust portal?" asked Rapunzel.
"It is a portal that will take you to another destination," said Elsa. "Marcella, I will jump in first and then Rapunzel, Olaf, and Pascal can jump in the next."
"I suppose that's what we'll do," said Marcella. "Elsa, step over here please."
As Elsa came over to the center of the room, Marcella took a small jar out of her pockets. Curiously, Rapunzel tilted her head at the jar. How very curious, she thought to herself. She immediately wondered what the dust portal would look like.
"Now, this is what you must do," she instructed. "The dust portal moves at a rapid pace so you must act very quickly. When I release it, it will come towards you and you must yell the name of the country you wish to go and jump in. Do you understand?"
Elsa and Rapunzel both nodded at the young witch. Marcella threw the lid off and her fingers reached in. As she took her hand out of the jar, a form of a small white tornado trailed at the end of her fingertips. Right when Marcella threw the dust portal into the air, it grew large, causing the entire room to shake. No one could hear each other over the loud rumbles. With the exception of Elsa, everyone pressed themselves against the wall.
The dust portal whirled around the room a few times before it finally started to charge towards Elsa. With no hesitation, Elsa dashed towards the large dust twister.
"THE NORTHERN ISLES!" she shouted just as she jumped in.
As soon as Elsa disappeared, the dust portal grew smaller and vanished from the room, returning everything to normal. Everyone fell to the floor in disbelief with their hair all out of place and books and any decorations scattered all over the floor. Pascal turned brown and he let out a loud squeak.
"Good heavens," Gerda shouted, rising from the ground. "I did not see that coming! Is everyone alright?"
"Apart from that old beast, yes!" Kai shouted. "Good lord!"
"That was fun!" Olaf shouted.
Rapunzel's jaw was still dropped as she struggled to get her balance back. She was going to be getting into that with Olaf and Pascal?! She didn't know if she could.
"Now it's your turn," said Marcella.
Rapunzel slowly turned to Marcella who was bringing out another jar, knowing that it was now their turn to jump right into that thing. She held Pascal closer to her chest and gestured for Olaf to stay next to her. She gulped as the three of them slowly went into the center of the room. Her heart was beating rapidly as Marcella's hand grabbed the lid of the jar.
"When I count to three, I will release the dust portal," she said. "One. Two. Three!"
She threw the lid off and grabbed a dust portal, throwing it out of the jar the same way she had the previous one. Marcella, Kai, and Gerda again pressed themselves against the wall. Rapunzel and Olaf were almost falling over at the violent earthquake-like movement as they listened to the continuous rumbling. Rapunzel couldn't believe how fast that thing was going, watching it spin around the room. Suddenly she gasped just to see that the dust portal was coming over towards them.
"HOLD ON!" she shouted to Pascal and Olaf. She was unsure if they could hear her because of the loud wind.
Before they could jump in, they screamed as the dust portal pulled them into its twister. As soon as they disappeared, the dust portal grew smaller and vanished from the room, taking the storm with it. Kai and Gerda slowly backed away from the wall, but Marcella raced over to the side of the room with a concerned expression on her face.
"Did they jump in it?" asked Marcella.
"No, it pulled them in," Gerda answered, fixing her hair.
Marcella's face turned white as a ghost as she let out a breath. "They at least said the Northern Isles, didn't they?"
"I don't know," Kai replied.
Marcella placed her hand on her temple. "Well, that's just great," she muttered. "They better have said the Northern Isles."
"What would happen if they didn't?" asked Gerda.
"It would take them to a random destination," Marcella explained. "They could end up in a whole other country and maybe even be hundreds of miles away from here."
"So, they might not be in the Northern Isles with Elsa," Kai asked.
"It's likely," Marcella sighed. Kai and Gerda turned to each other with grave expressions while Marcella threw her arms down and stared out the window.
"I guess we'll have to see what happens."